"She was the queen.."

Chapter 17

Celine - Your performance was amazing! I truly felt like I was watching Nicki Minaj on stage, you have the same stage presence.

Nika - You might be right. I'm really proud of myself.

Celine - It seems like you were right, it's always the boys who mess things up.

Nika - Speaking of boys, do you think I should get back together with Elijah?

Celine - No, don't do it. You need to stay focused. Remember what happened last time when you got distracted by boys instead of the contest.

Nika - Yeah, you're right.. But I miss him!

Celine - Girl, stay focused!

They laughed together before deciding to get manicures.

Tatiana was in her room with her friends, upset that Nika was still in the Top 10.

Tatiana - I can't stand her! I have to do something before she wins the crown. I'm the princess, not her!

Lucia - Calm down.. Are you really going to let her get to you like this?

Tatiana - She's getting on my nerves, and on top of that, March is about to run back to her again! She's going to win March and the contest.

Unable to control her anger, Tatiana grabbed a glass and threw it against the wall, causing it to shatter and make a loud noise. Lucia was scared.

Tatiana - No, I won't let her take everything from me. I have a plan. A better plan.

She explained her plan to her friends.

After Nika and Celine finished getting their nails done, Nika received a phone call that shocked her.

Nika - It's March calling!

Celine - March!?

Nika - I don't want to talk to him.

Celine - Nika, answer it! Let's see what he wants to say!

Reluctantly, Nika answered the call.

Nika - Hi. What do you want?

March - Relax.. It's just me.

Nika - If you unblocked me, I hope you have something important to say.

March - Are you still mad at me? I shouldn't have called you that. I'm really sorry.

Nika - March, you sided with the girl who bullies me.

March - I know, I made a mistake. I only dated her to make you jealous because you chose Elijah over me. I don't even like her.

Nika - Wait, seriously?

March - I swear.

Nika was surprised by his confession.

Nika - March, I don't know if I can forget how you treated me.

March - I understand. Congratulations on your performance. It was great, even though you took shots at me, I deserved it.

Nika and Celine tried not to laugh.

Nika - It's okay.

March - So.. are we good?

Nika - I need time to think about it.

March - That's fine.

After the call, Nika and Celine went to sleep. In the middle of the night, Nika woke up to a strong smell.

Nika - Why does it smell like something is burning?

She felt smoke and started coughing. Celine also woke up coughing.

Celine - What's going on?

Their dad burst into the room and urgently told them to leave the house because it was on fire.

They quickly evacuated the house and watched as firefighters arrived to put out the fire. Nika recognized one of the firefighters.

Nika - Elijah? Is that you?

Elijah nervously turned to look at her in his firefighter uniform.

Elijah - Nika..